2020年12月英语四级第1套听力原文及题目

2020年12月英语四级第1套听力原文及题目

Section A
Direction: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

News Report 1
A poisonous fish which has a sting strong enough to kill a human is invading the Mediterranean, warned scientists. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (UICN) has raised concerns after the poisonous fish was spotted in the waters around Turkey, Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean. Native to the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, the potentially deadly fish has poisonous hooks and a painful sting capable of killing people. Although fatalities are rare, the stings can cause extreme pain and stop people breathing. The fish, often known as Devil Firefish, is a highly invasive species. And environmentalists fear its arrival could endanger other types of marine life. After being spotted in the Mediterranean, a marine scientist says, “The fish is spreading, and that’s a cause for concern.”
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What is reported in the news?
Question 2: What is the environmentalists’ concern of the spread of Devil Firefish in the Mediterranean?

1.
A) A deadly fish has been spotted in the Mediterranean waters.
B) Invasive species are driving away certain native species.
C) The Mediterranean is a natural habitat of Devil Firefish.
D) Many people have been attacked by Devil Firefish.

2.
A) It could add to greenhouse emissions.
B) It could disrupt the food chains there.
C) It could pose a threat to other marine species.
D) It could badly pollute the surrounding waters.

News Report 2
Almost half the centre of Paris will be accessible only by foot or bicycle this Sunday to mark World Car-Free Day. This is in response to rising air pollution that made Paris the most polluted city in the world for a brief time. Mayor Anne Hidalgo promoted the first World Car Free Day last year. Hidalgo also has supported a Paris Breathes Day. On the first Sunday of every month, Paris clears traffic from eight lanes of the main road. About 400 miles of streets will be closed to cars. It is expected to bring significant reduction in pollution levels. “Last year’s car-free day showed a 40% drop in pollution levels in some parts of the city, according to an independent air pollution monitor”, reports the Guardian, “and some levels dropped by 50% in the city centre.”
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What will happen on World Car Free Day in Paris?
Question 4: What motivated the mayor of Paris to promote the first World Car Free Day in her city?

3.
A) Cars will not be allowed to enter the city.
B) About half of its city center will be closed to cars.
C) Buses will be the only vehicles allowed on its streets.
D) Pedestrians will have free access to the city.

4.
A) The rising air pollution in Paris.
B) The worsening global warming.
C) The ever-growing cost of petrol.
D) The unbearable traffic noise.

News Report 3
A Philippine fisherman was feeling down on his luck when a house fire forced him to clear out his possessions and change locations.Then, a good luck charm that he had kept under his bed changed his life. The unidentified man had fished out a giant pearl from the ocean when his anchor got stuck on the rock while sailing off a coastal island in the Philippines ten years ago. When he was forced to sell it, the shocked tourist agent at Puerto Princesca told him that the 77-pound giant pearl that he had kept hidden in his rundown wooden house was the biggest pearl in the world, which was valued at £76 million. The pearl of Allah, which is currently on display in a New York museum, only weighs 14 pounds. That is five times smaller than the pearl that the fisherman just handed in. The monstrous pearl, measured at 1 foot wide and 2.2 feet long, is going to be verified by local experts and international authorities before hopefully going on display to attract more tourists in the little town.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What happened to the Philippine fisherman one day?
Question 6: What was the fisherman forced to do?
Question 7: What did the fisherman learn from the tourist agent?

5.
A) Many of his possessions were stolen.
B) His house was burnt down in a fire.
C) His fishing boat got wrecked on a rock.
D) His good luck charm sank into the sea.

6.
A) Change his fishing locations.
B) Find a job in a travel agency.
C) Spend a few nights on a small island.
D) Sell the pearl he had kept for years.

7.
A) A New York museum has the world’s biggest pearl.
B) The largest pearl in the world weighs 14 pounds.
C) His monstrous pearl was extremely valuable.
D) His pearl could be displayed in a museum.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
W: Mr. Smith, It’s a pleasure meeting you!
M: Nice to meet you, too. What can I do for you?
W: Well, I’m here to show you what our firm can do for you. Astro Consultants has branches in over fifty countries, offering different business services. We’re a global company with 75 years of history. And our clients include some of the world’s largest companies.
M: Thank you, Mrs. Houston. I know Astro Consultants is a famous company. But you said you would show me what you could do for me. Well, what exactly can your firm do for my company?
W: We advise businesses on all matters, from market analysis to legal issues. Anything a business like yours could meet. Our firm offers expert advice. Could I ask you, Mr. Smith, to tell me a little about your company and the challenges you face? That way, I could better respond as to how we can help you.
M: OK, sure. This is a family business started by my grandfather in 1950. We employ just over 100 people. We manufacture an export stone for buildings and other constructions. Our clients usually want a special kind of stone cut in a special design. And that’s what we do in our factory. Our main challenge is that our national currency is rising, and we’re losing competitive advantages to stone produces in India.
W: I see. That’s very interesting. I will suggest that you let us first conduct a financial analysis of your company, together with the analysis of your competitors in India. That way, we could offer the best advice on different ways forward for you.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What do we learn about the woman’s company?
Question 9: What does the man say about his own company?
Question 10: What is the main problem with the man’s company?
Question 11: What does the woman suggest doing to help the man’s company?

8.
A) It boasts a fairly long history.
B) It produces construction materials.
C) It has 75 offices around the world.
D) It has over 50 business partners.

9.
A) It has about 50 employees.
B) It was started by his father.
C) It has a family business.
D) It is over 100 years old.

10.
A) Shortage of raw material supply.
B) Legal disputes in many countries.
C) Outdated product design.
D) Loss of competitive edge.

11.
A) Conducting a financial analysis for it.
B) Providing training for its staff members.
C) Seeking new ways to increase its exports.
D) Introducing innovative marketing strategies.

Conversation 2
W: Wow, congratulations, Simon! The place looks absolutely amazing!
M: Really? You think so?
W: Of course. I love it. It looks like you had a professional interior designer. But you didn’t, did you?
M: No. I did it all by myself with a little help from my brother, Greg. He’s actually in the construction business, which was really helpful.
W: Honestly, I’m impressed! I know I can probably repaint the walls in my house over a weekend or something, but not a full renovation. Where did you get your ideas? I wouldn’t know where to start.
M: Well, for a while now, I’ve been regularly buying home design magazines. Every now and then, I’d saved the pictures I liked. Believe it or not, I have a full notebook of magazine pages. Since by overall style was quite minimal, I thought and hoped a whole renovation wouldn’t be too difficult. And sure enough, with Greg’s help, it was very achievable.
W: Wasn’t it expensive? I have imagined a project like this could be.
M: Actually, it was surprisingly affordable. I managed to sell a lot of my old furniture and put that extra money towards the new material. Greg was also able to get some discount materials from a recent project he was working on as well.
W: Great! If you don’t mind, I’d like to pick your brain a bit more. Johansson and I are thinking of renovating our sitting room, not the whole house, not yet anyway. And we’d love to get some inspiration from your experience. Are you free to come over for a coffee early next week?
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What do we learn about the woman from the conversation?
Question 13: Where did the man get his ideas for the project?
Question 14: What did the man say about the project he recently completed?
Question 15: Why does the woman invite the man to her house next week?

12.
A) She is a real expert at house decorations.
B) She is well informed about the design business.
C) She is attracted by the color of the sitting room.
D) She is really impressed by the man’s house.

13.
A) From his younger brother Greg.
B) From home design magazines.
C) From a construction businessman.
D) From a professional interior designer.

14.
A) The effort was worthwhile.
B) The style was fashionable .
C) The cost was affordable.
D) The effect was unexpected.

15.
A) She’d like him to talk with Jonathan about a new project.
B) She wants him to share his renovation experience with her.
C) She wants to discuss the house decoration budget with him.
D) She’d like to show him around her newly-renovated house.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Passage 1
Removing foreign objects from ears and noses costs England almost £3m a year, a study suggests. Children were responsible for the vast majority of cases – 95% of objects removed from noses and 85% from ears. Every year, an average of 1,218 nose and 2,479 ear removals took place between 2010 and 2016. According to England’s Hospital Episode Statistics, children aged one to four were the most likely to need help from doctors for a foreign object in their nose. Five to nine year olds come to the hospital with something in their ear the most. Jewelry items accounted for up to 40% of cases in both the ears and noses of children. Paper and plastic toys were the items removed next most from noses. Cotton buds and pencils were also found in ears.
According to the study, the occurrence of foreign objects in children is generally attributed to curiosity. Children have an impulse to explore their noses and ears. This results in the accidental entry of foreign objects. Any ear, nose and throat surgeon has many weird stories about wonderful objects found in the noses and ears of children and adults. Batteries can pose a particular danger. In all cases, prevention is better than cure. This is why many toys contain warnings about small parts. Recognizing problems early and seeking medical attention is important.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What does England spend an annual £3m on?
Question 17: What do we learn from England’s Hospital Episode Statistics?
Question 18: What is generally believed to account for children putting things in their ears or noses?

16.
A) Providing routine care for small children.
B) Paying hospital bills for emergency cases.
C) Doing research on ear, nose and throat diseases.
D) Removing objects from patients’ noses and ears.

17.
A) Many children like to smell things they find or play with.
B) Many children like to put foreign objects in their mouths.
C) Five-to nine-year-olds are the most likely to put things in their ears.
D) Children aged one to four are often more curious than older children.

18.
A) They tend to act out of impulse.
B) They want to attract attention.
C) They are unaware of the potential risks.
D) They are curious about these body parts.

Passage 2
Good morning! Today, I’d like to talk to you about my charity ReBicycle. But before that, let me introduce someone. This is Leila Rahimi. She was so scared when she first moved to New Zealand that she struggled to leave the house and would spend days working up the courage to walk to the supermarket for basic supplies. After a few months of being quite down and unhappy, she was invited to join a local bike club. At this time, ReBicycle got involved and gave Leila a second-hand bicycle. In weeks, her depression had begun to ease as she cycled. The bicycle totally changed her life, giving her hope and a true feeling of freedom.
To date, ReBicycle has donated more than 200 bikes to those in need, and is now expanding bike-riding lessons as demand soars. With a bike, you can travel farther but for almost no cost. The three hours a day that used to spend on walking to and from English language lessons has been reduced to just one hour. Our bike-riding lessons are so successful that we are urgently looking for more volunteers. Learning to ride a bike is almost always more difficult as an adult, and this can take days and weeks, rather than hours. So, if any of you have some free time during the weekend, please come join us at ReBicycle and make a difference in someone’s life.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What did ReBicycle do to help Leila Rahimi?
Question 20: What is ReBicycle doing to help those in need?
Question 21: What do we learn from the passage about the ReBicycle?

19.
A) It paid for her English lessons.
B) It gave her a used bicycle.
C) It delivered her daily necessities.
D) It provided her with physical therapy.

20.
A) Expanding bike-riding lessons.
B) Asking local people for donations.
C) Providing free public transport.
D) Offering walking tours to visitors.

21.
A) It is a language school.
B) It is a charity organization.
C) It is a counseling center.
D) It is a sports club.

Passage 3
Thanks to the International Space Station we know quite a bit about the effects of low gravity on the human body, but NASA scientists want to learn more. To that end, they have been studying how other species deal with low gravity, specifically focusing on mice. The results are both interesting and humorous.
The scientists first send some mice in a specially designed cage to the International Space Station. The cage allowed them to study the behavior of the mice remotely from Earth via video. As you noticed in the video, the mice definitely seem uncomfortable at the beginning of the experiment. They move around clumsily, drifting within the small confines of the cage and do their best to figure out which way is up, but without success. However, it’s not long before the mice begin to catch on. They adapt remarkably well to their new environment and even using the lack of gravity to their advantage as they push themselves around the cage.
That’s when things really get wild. The 11th day of the experiment shows the mice are not just dealing with the gravity change but actually seem to be enjoying it. Several of the mice are observed running around the cage walls.
The scientists wanted to see whether the mice would continue doing the same kinds of activities they were observed doing on Earth. The study showed that the mice kept much of their routines intact, including cleaning themselves and eating when hungry.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What do Nasa scientists want to learn about?
Question 23: What does the passage say about the mice at the beginning of the experiment?
Question 24: What was observed about the mice on the 11th day of the experiment?
Question 25: What did the scientists find about the mice from the experiment?

22.
A) How mice imitate human behavior a space.
B) How low gravity affects the human body.
C) How mice interact in a new environment.
D) How animals deal with lack of gravity.

23.
A) They were not used to the low-gravity environment.
B) They found it difficult to figure out where they were.
C) They found the space in the cage too small to stay in.
D) They were not sensitive to the changed environment.

24.
A) They tried everything possible to escape from the cage.
B) They continued to behave as they did in the beginning.
C) They already felt at home in the new environment.
D) They had found a lot more activities to engage in.

25.
A) They repeated their activities every day.
B) They behaved as if they were on Earth.
C) They begin to eat less after some time.
D) They changed their routines in space.

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